Chicago Daily Observer

The approach of August means that it is time to begin making plans for the start of another school year. Back to school sales will be widely advertised in coming weeks. For those of you who have not made a vacation trip this year, there is time to do so before Labor Day. August is also the time to make plans to attend the Illinois State Fair. This year’s fair opens on August 7th and concludes on the 17th.

Attending the State Fair means making a trip to Springfield, which is still the state capital after all.

Judging from Rod Blagojevich’s chronic absenteeism one would never know that to be the case. Prior to the ratification of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, our governors were actually required to reside in the state capital.

The current constitution states that the governor be a resident of Springfield during his or her term ... Read More...

They are planning a vacation together. They have been planning for months.

She likes the mountains. He likes the sea.

She says if they go to the seaside she would like to watch the waves from a boatdeck. A cruise boatdeck. She hasn’t worn a bathing suit in ten years. He speaks of snorkeling, and sunshine, and baking on white sands. She says sand gets in places that itch.

He is enamored of cathedrals. She prefers cafes. Cathedrals, she says, are dank with tombs of kings and very few poets. Cathedrals are monuments to pride and haughty gods.

Cafes, he says, are an excuse for languor and unfulfilled promises. There is no structure to cafes, no architecture, no permanence. There is sodden conversation and willowy resolve.

They agree to divide – one cathedral and one café per day. He promises to visit cafes, once a day for a specified penalty ... Read More...